“To be on the cover at my age was a challenge. I think I met the challenge,” Stewart said.
The legendary chef Martha Stewart revealed her newest project on May 15 and it's not a new company, a compilation of cleaning advice, or even a masterfully constructed dish. The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, which hits newsstands on May 18, has Stewart as one of the cover models, Stewart announced to Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie on the TODAY Show. Renowned photographer Ruven Afanador captured Stewart in the Dominican Republic. Megan Fox, Kim Petras, and Brooks Nader are the other three cover stars for this year, but Stewart, at 81, is now the oldest cover star in SI Swimsuit's history.
“I like that picture,” Stewart added, giggling on TODAY as she stood next to her ultra-glam cover photo with disheveled hair and a light, summery vibe. “I’m sort of shaking because it’s odd to go to an island and then get changed into nine different bathing suits in one day in front of all those people ... it turned out OK.”
“It turned out more than OK,” Hoda replied, wondering how the homemaking tycoon came to be on the lovely cover. Stewart informed the co-anchors that she needed to be prepared to pose by the end of January when the concept was first put forth to her in November of last year. “You know, that was kind of a request I have never had before,“ Stewart said with a laugh. “And to be on the cover at my age was a challenge. I think I met the challenge.”
EXCLUSIVE: @MarthaStewart is one of the Sports Illustrated @SInow’s 2023 swimsuit cover models! pic.twitter.com/sXP05DsmJA
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) May 15, 2023
The grandmother of two, wearing a bikini by Monday Swimwear, a cover-up by Torso Creations, and accessories by Anita Ko and Jacob & Co., relaxes on a bench covered in a blanket with the natural grace and refined style she is known for. It makes sense considering how successful she was as a model early in her career since it shows in everything she does. Stewart says she "didn't starve herself" but instead prepared for the cover photo by eliminating bread and spaghetti in addition to working out in the weeks leading up to the shoot. “I’m still going to Pilates every other day because it’s so great,” Stewart said. “I live a clean life anyway — good diet, good exercise, and healthy skincare, and all that.”
Along with the cover, other beachy shots from the shoot include Stewart lounging on a beach with horses running behind her, enjoying a martini cocktail in a roomy cabana lined with palm trees and ferns, and more. “For me, it is a testament to good living, and I think that all of us should think about good living, successful living, and not about aging,” Stewart said. “The whole aging thing is so boring.”
On my podcast, I sit down with @mj_day, editor in chief of @si_swimsuit, to talk about my cover! Listen to our exciting conversation on the @iheartmediaofficial app or wherever you get your podcasts. And pick up my cover of the #SISwim23 issue on newsstands May 18th! #SISwimsuit pic.twitter.com/sk04ppzwQU
— Martha Stewart (@MarthaStewart) May 15, 2023
References:
https://www.today.com/food/people/martha-stewart-sports-illustrated-swimsuit-cover-rcna84234
https://swimsuit.si.com/swimsuit/model/martha-stewart-2023-si-swimsuit-photos
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Tasos Katopodis
